Connecticut school shooting: Barack Obama's message to those calling for stricter US gun laws

In a televised address to the American people, President Barack Obama tells
those calling for stricter US gun laws in the wake of the Sandy Hook
massacre, "we hear you".

2:33PM GMT 21 Dec 2012

Mr Obama said his administration had received a great deal of support for stricter gun laws, following last week's mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

"This week I called on congress to take up and pass common-sense legislation that has the support of a majority of the American people, including banning the sale of military-style assault weapons and high capacity ammunition clips."

He added: "If there's even one thing we can do as a country to protect our children, we have a responsibility to try."

The president has asked his deputy Joe Biden to lead a working group of officials as they take an in-depth look at tightening gun laws, addressing mental health needs and re-examining the way guns and violence are glamorised.